Swimming pool cover

ABSTRACT

A swimming pool unitary liner and cover comprising a first swimming pool liner and a second swimming pool liner attached circumferentially to the first liner&#39;&#39;s interior vertical surface, the second liner defining the pool bottom in a lowered position and forming with said first liner a watertight compartment which compartment, when filled with water, displaces the second liner upward whereby the second liner acts as a swimming pool cover. Water is introduced into the compartment through a hose fitting in one of the liners, and preferably the second liner. The water which is introduced into the compartment may optionally be the swimming pool water which is located upward of the second liner.

United States Patent [191 Dunn [451 Dec. 25, 1973 SWIMMING POOL COVER 22Filed: Nov. 1, 1972 [21] Appl.No.:302,934

Primary Examiner-Henry K. Artis Attorney-Sidney W. Russell [5 7 ABSTRACTA swimming pool unitary liner and cover comprising a first swimming poolliner and a second swimming pool liner attached circumferentially to thefirst liners interior vertical surface, the second liner defining thepool bottom in a lowered position and forming with said first liner awatertight compartment which compartment, when filled with water,displaces the second liner upward whereby the second liner acts as aswimming pool cover. Water is introduced into the compartment through ahose fitting in one of the liners, and preferably the second liner. Thewater which is introduced into the compartment may optionally be theswimming pool water which is located upward of the second liner.

7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEU m2 5 ma FIG.1

FIG.3

FIG.4

SWIMMING POOL COVER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The primary andoverriding objective of this invention is the development of a poolcover which would be virtually impossible to remove and, therefor,aflord the highest order of protection for unsupervised children orunwary trespassers.

The inherent danger of backyard-type swimming pools, particularly tosmaller children, is a recognized problem and as will be noted byreference to U.S. Pat. No. 3,667,070 which relates to another type ofpool cover, but not exhibiting the various purposes and advantages ofthe instant invention.

Swimming pools are, in various residential areas, considered attractivenuisances, for every year many unsuspecting children tragically becomevictims of their curiosity when pools are left uncovered, or when thecovers are easily removable. Many local ordinances therefore are strictas to proper fences or enclosures for same, this for protectivepurposes.

Many of the pool covers previously developed, among other disadvantages,were relatively light in construction and easy to remove. These covers,although serving to keep the pool free from dustand soot, do not preventunwanted intruders in the pool. Other types of pool covers have beensealed at their ends to a continuous flexible hollow border which wasfilled with a suitable liquid such as water. These covers are alsodisadvantageous because they are subject to inadvertent rupture orpuncturing allowing the liquid to empty therefrom, thus to therebydetract from their usefulness. Still other types of covers have beenunsatisfactory in that they require time consuming staking and the liketo secure the cover to the border or frame of the poo]. Attachmentdevices of the type developed previously are exemplified by the retainerand lock for swimming pool covers disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,391,410.One of the recent developments in swimming pool covers is disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 3,667,070 where the cover is supported by a heavy liquidfilled multi-compartment border region which rests on the peripheraledge of the pool.

In each of the previous designs for pool covers or pool cover andretainer arrangements, the main purpose has singularly been one ofcontinual improvement to the method of retention of the cover to theborder or peripheral areas or the swimming pool, rather than directingthe aim of same to the multi-purpose scheme of this invention.Accordingly, although each design further reduced the possibility ofdisengagement of the pool cover, the inherent danger, though minimized,was still present. In accordance with this invention, a second linerwhich acts as a cover when in a raised position is employed. The locusof attachment of the pool cover is interiorally of the swimming pool.When the cover is in the raised position because of water pressure, thevertical portion of the cover is maintained transversely against theswimming pool sidewalls. It is thus physically impossible to detach thecover at its locus of attachment. The deeper the pool, the lower thelocus of attachment the water level in the pool, and consequently thegreater the force against the swimming poo] sidewalls at the locus ofattachment.

' Another objective of the invention is to provide a pool cover thatdoes not need any storage place, for as stated, in any position it ispermanently attached to the pool.

Still another objective is to provide a pool cover which effectivelyprecludes intrusion of dirt or other foreign matter.

Yet another objective is to provide a facile arrangement wherebymanually and mechanically attachable and detachable cover retainingarrangements are rendered unnecessary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the principles of thepresent in vention the above objectives are accomplished by providing aswimming pool unitary liner and cover comprising a first swimming poolliner of flexible material having a vertical portion and a bottomportion, and a second liner of flexible material attachedcircumferentially to the interior vertical surface of the first swimmingpool liner, said first and second liners being adapted to form awatertight compartment therebetween. A means for introducing andwithdrawing water from said compartment is located in at leastone ofsaid liners, the size and disposition of said second liner being suchthat when water is introduced into the compartment between said linersthe second liner extends upward of its locus of attachment whereby itacts as a pool cover.

Pools of the type forwhich the invention is particularly adapted may bemounted above the ground or constructed in the ground. An example of theformer type would be pools of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.3,466,676 having peripheral walls extending above the ground withinwhich a swimming pool liner may be suitably supported. In any event, itis contemplated that in accordance with my invention the first liner maybe attached to the side, vertical walls of a pool structure in anysuitable manner. The first liner may, for example, be secured at itsperipheral and upper edge to the peripheral walls of the pool structureby coping.

The unitary pool liner and cover :may be constructed of any suitablyflexible and water impervious material. Illustrative materials of thistype are the polyvinyls, such as polyvinyl chloride, and thepolyolefins, such as polyethylene. The unitary pool liner and cover maybe formed as one piece or more preferably, the liners may beindividually fabricated and thereafter attached together by heat sealingor some other appropriate bonding method.

This invention is also applicable to a swimming pool unit including sidevertical walls and a bottom wall wherein non-flexible material, that is,a pool wall proper, is utilized in place of liner 3. In this applicationof the invention a liner corresponding to the second liner of applicantsunitary liner and cover is attached directly to the swimming pool wallforming therewith the required intermediate watertight compartment.Where possible the liner may be bonded by heat or chemical reaction tothe swimming pool wall. Where the composition of the liner and swimmingpool wall does not permit, mechanical bonding is suitably employed.

It will, therefore, be noted that this invention also includes aswimming pool unit including side vertical walls and a bottom wall whichhas an improved safety pool cover comprising a flexible materialattached circumferentially to the interior side vertical walls, saidpool cover extending downwardly from the locus of attachment and havinga vertical portion and a bottom portion when in lowered position, saidpool cover being adapted to form a compartment bounded by the verticaland bottom walls of the swimming pool unit when in an upward position.There is also provided a means for introducing to and withdrawing waterfrom said compartment and as so provided in the swimming pool unit ofthis invention. The size and locus of attachment of the cover is suchthat, and as stated, when fluid is introduced into the compartment thecover extends above its locus of attachment whereby it acts as poolcover.

In its application, this invention also encompasses in combination, withthe swimming pool unitary liner and cover and the aforesaid swimmingpool unit, a means for withdrawing water from the swimming pool unitlocated above the cover and introducing the water into the compartmentthereby to raise the inner liner in covering position over the water. Aswill be more particularly pointed out in the detailed description of thedrawings, the use of this invention allows the swimming pool water to beutilized for moving the liner attached interiorally of the pool upwardto the covered position. In turn, when the cover is removed; that isreturned to the lowered position the water formerly beneath the cover isagain reintroduced into the swimming pool as the swimming pool water.Hence the same water may be reused, yet during periods of non-use is notsubject to contamination by debris, for when in non-use the inner linercovers the water in adequate and safe fashion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate the inventionin application to a conventional pool structure. The figures arecrosssection illustrations.

FIG. 1 is a view, partially in cross-section, illustrating the inventionwherein the second liner is operating as a cover. This operationalposition will hereinafter be called the covered position.

FIG. 2, similar to FIG. 1, shows the invention wherein the cover isbeing removed that is, wherein the second liner is being passeddownwardly past its locus of attachment.

FIG. 3 depicts the invention wherein the second liner is in the loweredposition functioning as the pool bottom.

FIG. 4 shows, again in partial cross-section, the invention wherein thesecond pool liner is being moved upwardly to the covered position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In FIG. 1, the unitary pool coverand liner is disposed within a rigid swimming pool supporting framedefined by vertical sides 1 and bottom 2. The latter as illustrated maybe the ground surface or more suitably, a bottom wall. The first (3) andsecond (4) swimming pool liners which comprise the unitary pool coverand liner assembly, are placed within the frame, with the first poolliner 3 attached to the frame and the second pool liner 4 facinginwardly towards the interior of the pool.

In FIG. 1 the unitary pool liner and cover is illustrated with thesecond pool liner 4 extending upward of the locus of attachment 8whereby it is operating as a pool cover. Opening serves as the means forintroducing and withdrawing water from compartment 9 formed between thefirst liner 3 and second liner 4 via pump P. This opening or inlet maybe a hose fitting which can be valved to off or closed position when thesecond liner is in the pool covering position. Water line 6 is connectedto opening 5 and water pump outlet 11. It is from pump outlet 11 andthrough line 6 that the water whichvraises the second liner to the coverposition is introduced into compartment 9. Water pump inlet 12 isconnected to line 7. Both of lines 6 and 7 may be constructed of anysuitable materials such as piping or tubing of metal, e.g. copper ormore practically, hose of rubber or some other flexible plasticmaterial.

As best illustrated in FIG. 4, hose 7 is connected to the interior ofthe swimming pool 10; the pump withdraws water from the swimming poolinterior via hose 7 and pumps the water from the pool into compartment 9via hose 6.

In FIG. 2 where the second liner 4 is in a position intermediate thecovered position and bottom position, the water in compartment 9 isbeing withdrawn through opening 5 via hose 6 into pump inlet 12 and thenis pumped above the liner 4 into the swimming pool interior 10 throughpump outlet 11 and hose 7.

In FIG. 3, the second liner 4 is in a lowered position. Opening 5 isillustrated with line 7 detached. Substantially all of the water hasbeen removed from compartment 9. The second liner in the positionillustrated in FIG. 3 acts as a second pool bottom liner. The pump isillustrated as still operative. The pump thus employed may be consideredthe recirculating pump ordinarily associated with larger pools. In thelarger pools, the water is continuously or intermittently recirculatedby a pump means. Upon removal from the interior of the pool by pumpmeans, the water may be treated by passage through a filter (notshown)containing materials such as diatomaceous earth, often furthertreated by the addition of certain chemicals including, for example,chlorine, copper sulfate, etc. It is possible in these pool arrangementsto adapt the recirculation pump for use as the pumping means of theinvention.

In FIG. 4 where the second liner is being moved upwardly to the coverposition, the water (10) above compartment 9 is being withdrawn throughhose 7 and pumped through hose 6 into compartmnet 9 via opening 5.

Adverting again to FIG. 1, such represents the most simplified versionof the invention wherein in the position shown the pump P has completedthe filling operation into the compartment 9 with the interliner 4 inraised, cover position. A line 27 represents the inlet to the pump Pproviding fresh water to the area 9; the same may also constitute awaste line upon reverse flow. That is, by suitable valving the pump Pcan be reversed so that line 6 permits reversal of flow to withdraw thewater within area 9 and discharge the same to waste by line 27, line 27being suitably valved for this purpose. In other words, the set-up asdepicted in FIG. 1 would be more appropriate for use where the water isnot saved after each use of the pool. On the other hand, the morepreferred embodiment of the invention is represented in FIGS. 2-4inclusive where reuse of the water is enabled. Obviously, after periodsof such reuse during intermittent periods of pool coverage as shown inFIG. 1, the water can be permanently discharged through waste line 27and then the pool refilled through line 7 and as shown in FIG. 2. Thedetails of such an appropriate valving arrangement for these latterpurposes are well within the skill of the art, and hence such details,as to such valve mechanisms, are not shown in the attached drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 4 are intended to illustrate a preferred mode of theinventive structure as well as practical utilization of the apparatus ofthe invention. As is readily apparent, the opening 5 can be located inthe first liner downward of the locus of attachment 8 with equivalentresults. Moreover, a swimming pool unit including side vertical wallsand a bottom wall wherein non-flexible material is utilized in place ofthe liner 3 is within the scope of this invention. In this latterswimming a wimming pool structure may be of a type where a liner isunnecessary. In pools of this type a liner corresponding to the secondliner may be attached directly to the swimming pool bottom and sidewalls, and forming therewith the requisite watertight compartment. It isalso necessary, as must appear evident from the foregoing, that the sizeand disposition of the liner is such that when fluid is introduced intothe compartment between the liner and pool wall, the second linerextends above its location of attachment to a high point (as shown inFIG. 1) where it may appropriately achieve its intended function anadequate swimming pool cover.

There may be obvious alternate modifications of the invention withoutdeparting from the scope thereof, said scope of the invention to belimited only by that area defined by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

l. A swimming pool unitary liner and cover comprising a first swimmingpool liner of flexible material having a vertical portion and a bottomportion, a second liner of flexible material attached circumferentiallyto the interior vertical surface of the first swimming pool liner, saidfirst and second liners being adapted to form a watertight compartmentbetween said liners, a means for introducing and withdrawing water fromsaid compartmnent located in one of said liners, the size anddisposition of said second liner being such that when water isintroduced into the compartment between said liners the second linerextends upward of its locus of attachment whereby it acts as a poolcover.

2. A swimming pool unitary liner and cover of claim 1 furthercharacterized in that the flexible material is a vinyl plastic.

3. The swimming pool unitary liner and cover of claim 1 furthercharacterized in that the means of introducing and withdrawing waterfrom the compartment is a hose fitting which is connected to a waterpump means by a first water hose said pump means in turn being connectedto the interior of said swimming pool unit located upward of said secondliner by a second water hose, whereby when said unit is filled forswimming and the second liner is in the lowered position the secondliner can be raised to cover the unit by pumping water located upward ofsaid pool into said compartment.

4. In combination with a swimming pool unit including side verticalwalls and a bottom wall an improved safety pool cover comprising aflexible material attached circumferentially to the interior sidevertical walls, said pool cover extending downwardly from the locus ofattachment and having a vertical portion and a bottom portion when inlowered position, said pool cover being adapted to form a compartmentwith the vertical and bottom walls of the swimming pool unit when in anupward position, a means for introducing and withdrawing water from saidcompartment, the size and locus of attachment of said cover being suchthat when water is introduced into the compartment the cover extendsupward of its locus of attachment whereby it acts as a pool cover.

5. The combination of claim 4 further characterized in that the means ofintroducing and withdrawing fluid from said compartment is connectedwith a means for withdrawing water from the swimming pool unit locatedupwards of the cover and introducing the water into said compartment.

6. The combination of claim 4 further characterized in that the meansfor introducing and withdrawing fluid from said compartment is connectedto a means for withdrawing water from said compartment and introducingthe water into the pool unit upwards of the cover.

7. The combination of claim 4 further characterized in that the means ofintroducing and withdrawing fluid from the compartment is a hose fittingconnected to a water pump by a first water hose, said pump means in turnbeing connected to the interior of said swimming pool unit locatedupward of said pool cover by a second water hose, whereby when said unitis filled for swim ming and the cover is in the lowered position thecover can be raised to cover the unit by pumping water located upward ofsaid cover into said compartment.

1. A swimming pool unitary liner and cover comprising a first swimmingpool liner of flexible material having a vertical portion and a bottomportion, a second liner of flexible material attached circumferentiallyto the interior vertical surface of the first swimming pool liner, saidfirst and second liners being adapted to form a watertight compartmentbetween said liners, a means for introducing and withdrawing water fromsaid compartmnent located in one of said liners, the size anddisposition of said second liner being such that when water isintroduced into the compartment between said liners the second linerextends upward of its locus of attachment whereby it acts as a poolcover.
 2. A swimming pool unitary liner and cover of claim 1 furthercharacterized in that the flexible material is a vinyl plastic.
 3. Theswimming pool unitary liner and cover of claim 1 further characterizedin that the means of introducing and withdrawing water from thecompartment is a hose fitting which is connected to a water pump meansby a first water hose said pump means in turn being connected to theinterior of said swimming pool unit located upward of said second linerby a second water hose, whereby when said unit is filled for swimmingand the second liner is in the lowered position the second liner can beraised to cover the unit by pumping water located upward of said poolinto said compartment.
 4. In combination with a swimming pool unitincluding side vertical walls and a bottom wall an improved safety poolcover comprising a flexible material attached circumferentially to theinterior side vertical walls, said pool cover extending downwardly fromthe locus of attachment and having a vertical portion and a bottomportion when in lowered position, said pool cover being adapted to forma compartment with the vertical and bottom walls of the swimming poolunit when in an upward position, a means for introducing and withdrawingwater from said compartment, the size and locus of attachment of saidcover being such that when water is introduced into the compartment thecover extends upward of its locus of attachment whereby it acts as apool cover.
 5. The combination of claim 4 further characterized in thatthe means of introducing and withdrawing fluid from said compartment isconnected with a means for withdrawing water from the swimming pool unitlocated upwards of the cover and introducing the water into saidcompartment.
 6. The combination of claim 4 further characterized in thatthe means for introducing and withdrawing fluid from said compartment isconnected to a means for withdrawing water from said compartment andintroducing the water into the pool unit upwards of the cover.
 7. Thecombination of claim 4 further characterized in that the means ofintroducing and withdrawing fluid from the compartment is a hose fittingconnected to a water pump by a first water hose, said pump means in turnbeing connected to the interior of said swimming pool unit locatedupward of said pool cover by a second water hose, whereby when said unitis filled for swimming and the cover is in the lowered position thecover can be raised to cover the unit by pumping water located upward ofsaid cover into said compartment.